The Rotting Heart is an excellent clean fantasy novel! I’ve never read a fantasy book quite like this one before. The FMC, Hellebore, is a spitfire alchemist’ who is very career driven. She’s strong, funny, and perfectly blunt! She is not a damsel in distress. She is a hero who takes destiny into her own hands and changes the fate of a nation.

The plot twists in this story genuinely had me pins and needles.

Absolutely brilliant read!

Video reviews on TikTok and Instagram can be found by searching kikiinkc.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Im not going to lie, I almost DNF’d this book multiple times. The writing was a little hard to get into for about the first 20%. Then after that, it felt like a completely different story and writing style. I did end up enjoying it overall. I do wish that the characters had a little more depth and purpose. The two man characters went from supposedly hating each other to flirting and cuddling too quickly. I think that if the author added a little more explanation and reasoning in the beginning, then that would make sense. Plus, Hellebore was just resigned to her fate without trying to fight it at all. That part didn’t make sense to me. The synopsis also said that she was obsessed with death. I didn’t get that feeling while reading it. However, like I stated earlier, I did end up enjoying this story overall for what it was. The concept was interesting. I would consider trying another one of this author’s books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for providing me with an advance copy of This Rotting Heart in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. No spoilers.

This Rotting Heart was the first book I read in the Seasons of Legend series, but it can be read as a standalone. I never felt like I was missing out on any information. The worldbuilding was amazing, I can't wait to learn more about the Elves in the other books. This story was addicting – natural enemies on account of who they are, forced marriage (in name only! no SA), plot twists, and a slow-burn romance.

I loved this book, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes romance set in a beautiful fantasy world.

This book was AMAZING. I loved it, the alchemists , Sun Elves ,Moon elves ,night elves!! A little shorter than I was used to by this author, but it was AMAZING , the characters , the writing style, i loved it. However there was one thing , it says that it is a hades and persephone retelling , but to me it felt more like beauty and the best. Age i would say 12 to 13 , content has a few kisses ,mentions blood , rot. Overall I give this book 4.7 stars out of 5.

⭐ **4.5/5 Stars**

Celeste Baxendell delivers an enchanting romantasy in *This Rotten Heart*, blending romance and fantasy into a fast-paced, addictive read. Though short, the story is packed with enough depth to make you fall in love with both main characters.

The romance is beautifully developed, balancing tension, banter, and emotional depth. The characters feel alive, their chemistry undeniable, and the world-building—while not overly complex—sets the perfect stage for their story. The book wastes no time on unnecessary fluff, making every moment count.

If you’re looking for a quick but satisfying romantasy that hooks you from the first page, *This Rotten Heart* is a fantastic choice. It’s the kind of book you devour in one sitting and immediately wish for more!